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CHAPTER 51WATER PERMIT OR REGISTRATION—WHEN REQUIRED[Prior subject matter INRC rule 3.1][Prior to 12/3/86, Water, Air and Waste Management[900]]567—51.1(455B) Scope of chapter. This chapter contains thresholds which explain when a water permit or registration is required for withdrawal, diversion or storage of water.567—51.2(455B) Storage (surface). Rescinded ARC 5899C, IAB 9/8/21, effective 10/13/21. See rule 567—73.11(455B).567—51.3(455B) Diversion from surface into aquifer. A permit is required for diversion of water or any other material from the surface directly into any aquifer, including diversion by means of an agricultural drainage well. Diversion by tile or ditch into a sinkhole or quarry excavated in carbonate rock is presumed to be a diversion from the surface directly into an aquifer in the absence of convincing evidence to the contrary.567—51.4(455B) Drain tile lines. Water in drain tile lines shall be considered surface water.567—51.5(455B) Cooling/heating systems. A permit for the withdrawal of groundwater for use as a heat exchange media in a heating/cooling system may be granted, allowing such groundwater to be discharged into sanitary or storm sewers (when the use is complete). However, a permittee that has such a system shall make plan and design provisions to the permittee’s system to allow the groundwater to be returned directly (i.e., reinjected) to the aquifer from which it was originally pumped. The department reserves the right to order such direct return as part of its water conservation plan responsibility as described in 567—subrule 52.9(3) (chiefly incorporating mandated emergency conservation measures), and its priority allocation plan responsibility as described in 567—subrule 52.10(3).567—51.6(455B) Miscellaneous uses. Unless otherwise provided herein, a permit shall be required for the use of more than 25,000 gallons of water per day for any purpose. 51.6(1) Reserved 51.6(2) Drainage at construction sites. A permittee may obtain permit coverage through registration as described in 51.6(5) for the withdrawal of water to lower the water table as necessary at a construction site. 51.6(3) Test pumping. The department may authorize by registration, as described in 51.6(5), test pumping of sources of water to determine adequacy of the source and effects of such withdrawals. The department may require the applicant to submit the results to the department. No such registration for test pumping shall be for a period of more than one year. A registration must be obtained from the department for any pumping test in which more than 25,000 gallons of water will be withdrawn in a period of 24 hours or less. 51.6(4) Rural water districts. A permit shall be required for withdrawals of water by any rural water district having its own source of water, and such a withdrawal shall be classified as a use by a community public water supply. 51.6(5) Permit registration for minor, nonrecurring uses. Any use of water which is a minor, nonrecurring use, including but not limited to highway construction and maintenance, charging of lagoons, drilling wells, and hydrostatic testing of pipelines, shall require permit coverage that may be obtained through registration. The permit applicant may register minor, nonrecurring water use by submitting Form 20 (542-3112). Such registration shall be for up to one year. After an investigation of any withdrawal allegedly causing material damage, the department shall require prompt, appropriate action for the alleviation of damages. Where agreement cannot be reached on the action necessary for the alleviation of damages, withdrawal of water shall cease immediately upon notification by the department and an application for a permit shall be submitted. 51.6(6) Research contracts. The withdrawal of water for research purposes by the Iowa geological survey through its agents, employees, or contractees may be authorized by registration under 51.6(5) and may be subject to conditions set by the department.Related ARC(s): 4426C567—51.7(455B) Excavation and processing of rock and gravel products. A water permit is required for withdrawal of more than 25,000 gallons of surface water or groundwater in one day for dewatering, washing, pugging, or use of a hydraulic dredge in connection with removal or processing of rock or gravel products. This permit requirement is subject to the following exceptions:
- A permit is not required for operation of a hydraulic dredge which returns all water used as a transport medium directly back into the pit from which it is withdrawn by the dredge;
- A permit is not required for withdrawal of water from a gravel pit or rock quarry sump pit for material washing if the wash water is discharged directly back into the pit from which it is withdrawn.